AIDS in 2011: A Year in Review
2011 was a mixed bag in the global response to AIDS. While exciting medical breakthroughs in treatment and prevention hint at tremendous potential to reduce the transmission of HIV, these were often offset by reduced financial investment, profiteering, and discriminatory national policies. As we enter the 4th decade of HIV, we wanted to take a look back at some of the biggest stories that defined the AIDS response in 2011.
11 Major Stories from 2011
AIDS turns 30
30 years ago, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report outlining five cases of what was believed to be a rare form of pneumonia. In retrospect, this report would be the first official one to outline what is now recognized widely as the HIV epidemic.
Read our special feature on 30 Years of HIV.
ARVs Prevent Infection
On May 12, the results of the HPTN 052 trial indicated that if an HIV-positive person adheres to an effective antiretroviral therapy regimen, the risk of transmitting the virus to their uninfected sexual partner can be reduced by 96 percent.
The story, which made global headlines in May, was recently hailed as the biggest breakthrough of 2011.
Anti-Gay Legislation
In May, Ugandan MPs backing an anti-homosexuality bill, which included a death penalty clause for repeat offenders, said they would move forward with it, despite President Museveni's calls for them to abandon it.
In November, Nigeria's Senate voted to criminalize gay marriage, gay advocacy groups and same-sex public displays of affection.
Contraception and the Risk of HIV
In October, a seven-country study published in the Lancet showed that women using hormonal shots to prevent pregnancy, such as the contraceptive Depo-provera, increased their risk of contracting HIV, and doubled the chance that they transmit HIV to their partners. This was major news because helping women avoid unwanted pregnancy is an important part of reducing mother-to-child transmission.
Medicines Patent Pool
In July, the Medicines Patent Pool announced their first agreement with pharmaceutical company - Gilead Sciences - to improve access to HIV and Hepatitis B treatment in developing countries. The Patent Pool was created in 2010 to improve access to HIV medicines by enabling the negotiation of voluntary patent licences to generic pharma companies, enabling them to develop and distribute new formulations.
Generic Anti-Retrovirals under Fire
In March, thousands protested terms in the ongoing free trade agreement between the EU and India, which pushes for tougher intellectual property regulations - threatening the production of generic pharmaceuticals in India, which currently produces the majority of anti-retroviral drugs used in developing countries.
Read more in UNAIDS's Press Statement.
Funding Cuts for HIV
In November, poor funding resulted in the Global Fund's decision to cancel its 11th round of funding. The Global Fund is responsible for about 70% of HIV treatment in developing countries.
Earlier in the year, the Kaiser Family Foundation and UNAIDS released a report showing that funding fell from US$7.6 billion in 2009 to $6.9 billion in 2010 - the first time funding has dropped in more than a decade.
New Targets in Global AIDS Response
In June, at the UN High Level Meeting on AIDS, a new set of targets was outlined for the global AIDS response. Simply put: "Zero new infections, zero stigma and zero AIDS-related deaths". The meeting concluded with the adoption of a declaration that seeks, by 2015, to double the number of people on ARVs to 15 million, end mother-to-child transmission, halve TB-related deaths in people living with HIV, and increase preventive measures for the "most vulnerable populations".
Crowdsourcing New HIV Strategy
In September, UNAIDS, recognizing the important role of young people in the global AIDS response, launched a digital campaign aimed at encouraging young people to crowdsource a new strategy on HIV and Youth. The campaign, #CrowdOutAIDS, provides platforms for young people to interact and engage with each other regarding issues related to HIV in their community and seeks to reach a collective set of agreements out of these interactions.
More Political Misinformation
In November, Leader of the Democratic Alliance in South Africa, Helen Zille, called for people who knowingly infected others with HIV to be charged with attempted murder, and quested why the government should pay for people who contracted HIV through "irresponsible behaviour".
On August 1st, Uganda's Minister of Health, Christine Ondoa, claimed she knew three people who had been cured of HIV through prayer.
New HIV Vaccine Approved for Trial
In December, the first and only preventative HIV vaccine based on a genetically modified killed whole virus has received approval by the FDA to start human clinical trials.
Developed at The University of Western Ontario, with the support of Sumagen Canada, the vaccine (SAV001) holds tremendous promise, stimulating strong immune responses in preliminary tests with no adverse effects or safety risks.
As we enter the 4th decade of HIV, there is no better time than now to celebrate success and renew our committment as responsible individuals, volunteers, activists, and sponsors. Reaching Zero New Infections is possible - and we hope it will be at the top of everyone's resolution list this year.
UNAIDS features collaborative Art for AIDS project
In September we told you about a collaborative pilot project between North Star Alliance, the World Food Programme, and of course, Art for AIDS, focused on extending our arts-based workshops model to truck drivers, sex workers, and students located in both Beit Bridge and Harare, Zimbabwe. While this was by no means our first student-workshop (check out our full list of workshop locations), it was the first time we had hosted workshops with truck drivers and sex workers, two populations that are particularly vulnerable to, and disproportionately affected by HIV, STIs, and other communicable diseases.
Following the workshops, all of us at Art for AIDS were excited by both the powerful artwork each participant produced, and by the high quality discussions about HIV that came out of the workshops. Over the past few months, we've been even more excited to watch public enthusiasm for this project grow.
Thanks to tremendous support from both North Star Alliance and the World Food Programme this project was featured with a large exhibition in September at the International Fund for Agricultural Development's (IFAD) Global Knowledge Share Fair, and at the World Food Programme's Head Quarters over World AIDS Day. The project has also been featured at exhibits in London and Toronto, Canada, and in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
This week, UNAIDS (the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) highlighted this initiative as well by posting a special photo gallery showcasing some of the works of art produced along with an explanation of the project. To view this gallery, please click the image below:
We would like to thank UNAIDS for highlighting this feature, and both North Star Alliance and the World Food Programme for the tremendous work they do, and the vision and support they've brought to this initiative.
About North Star Alliance
North Star Alliance is a not-for-profit public private partnership that provides healthcare and information to truck drivers, sex workers, and border communities through a network of roadside health clinics across Africa.
You can learn more about North Star by visiting them online or by joining them on Facebook.
About The World Food Programme
WFP is the food aid arm of the United Nations system, and the largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger.
You can learn more about WFP by visiting them online or by joining them on Facebook.
Celebrating 10 Years of Art for AIDS International
The Power of 10 years and 10,000 Young People
Ten years ago, Art for AIDS International set out to stop the spread of HIV by inspiring young people, through art, to play an active and engaged role in the global AIDS response.
Thanks to support from these young people, their communities, and a growing network of partners, we’ve had the opportunity to host workshops with over 10,000 young people, at over 300 schools from across Canada, and throughout Africa and Europe. The outcome of this incredible community effort is a powerful collection of art, produced by young people, that has raised international awareness about AIDS, and over 1 million dollars to support community organizations in Africa working with women and children affected by HIV and AIDS.
On the 10th Anniversary of Art for AIDS, we want to celebrate the tremendous impact that a community-driven initiative has had on the lives of young people in classrooms around the world, and on the lives of young people across Africa, who have benefitted directly.
Power of 10 Portfolio
To thank everyone who has made this possible, we are re-releasing the 20 prints that started it all (10 from each of our first two portfolios). This "Power of 10" portfolio will be sold at a number of exciting events that will run throughout the remainder of 2011 and into 2012. Further, to make sure that as many people as possible can enjoy this work, prints will be available for only $10 each with proceeds supporting Art for AIDS International and the work of our partner organizations in Africa.
How you can get involved
There are a number of ways you can support Art for AIDS International through the Power of 10 campaign:
- Become a volunteer at Art for AIDS International;
- Host an event in your home, school, or community;
- Sponsor the campaign directly;
- Purchase Power of 10 prints.
If you would like to support Art for AIDS International and the Power of 10 campaign in any of these ways, please contact us.
You can also check back on our website as we post exciting news, events, and updates over the coming weeks.
Thank you
While Art for AIDS began as a small - one person - secondary school initiative, it was ultimately the power of community that has allowed us to grow, engage more young people, and provide support to women and children in some of the communities hardest hit by HIV in Africa.
We would like to thank everyone who has been involved from our inception for their dedication, initiative, and the passion they've shown for this project. This includes our enthusiastic volunteers and board, each of the students, teachers, and school boards who've welcomed us to their school community, our tremendous group of public and private sponsors, and finally, everyone who has shown their recognition for the power of art in addressing global challenges like the HIV epidemic, whether through kind words, telling others about our work, or purchasing one of our students' works of art.
Thank you.
Sharing Knowledge, Sharing Innovation: North Star and Art for AIDS Exhibit in Rome
Last week, Art for AIDS International opened a large exhibit in collaboration with North Star Alliance and the World Food Programme at the Second Annual Global Agriknowledge Share Fair in Rome - hosted at the headquarters of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a UN agency responsible for combating rural hunger and poverty in developing countries.
The exhibit, which featured the recently launched North Star Alliance / Art for AIDS International portfolio, presented a large selection of artwork produced by truck drivers, sex workers, and young people from Harare and Beitbridge Zimbabwe, made during a recent workshop series hosted by Hendrikus Bervoets, Founder and Executive Director of Art for AIDS International.
The goal of this exhibit was to raise awareness about the impact of HIV and STIs on mobile populations, and on their direct and indirect contacts across Africa. Further, the exhibit highlighted tremendous initiatives by North Star Alliance and the World Food Programme which address these issues.
"While Art for AIDS International has traditionally worked with young people, we realized it was important to recognize hidden links in the transmission of HIV in Africa", explained Hendrikus.
Truck drivers, and the communities surrounding transport hubs, have traditionally lacked access to health care and information, and as a result, have been disproportionately affected by HIV and other diseases.
"By teaming up with North Star Alliance, an international not-for-profit organization that provides health care to mobile populations and communities surrounding borders and truck stops, we were able to adapt the Art for AIDS workshop model to bring important information, and hopefully a fun experience, to two communities heavily affected by these issues".
The exhibit, which ran from 26-29 September, was well received with many people stopping by to purchase prints - the proceeds of which will support both Art for AIDS International and North Star Alliance projects in southern Africa.
We would like to thank IFAD, the World Food Programme, and North Star Alliance for their support.
Over the next few weeks Art for AIDS International, and North Star Alliance will scheduling a series of exhibits to further feature this exciting project. Stay tuned for more details.
Driving the AIDS Response through Art
The following post originally appeared on the North Star Alliance blog on August 10, 2011.
On 26-29 July, North Star Alliance teamed up with Art for AIDS International to pilot a series of innovative visual-arts-based HIV workshops with truck drivers and sex workers in the community of Beitbridge, Zimbabwe.
These workshops, led by Art for AIDS International Executive Director Hendrikus Bervoets, use a combination of fact-based knowledge sharing, experiential learning, peer-peer support, and art making to explore specific and sensitive aspects of risk and vulnerability, especially as they relate to HIV and STI infection.
“Although HIV awareness is high, fear and stigma prevent many from getting tested and seeking treatment. These innovative workshops show that the process of combining health information, storytelling and art-making can be informative, therapeutic and fun for everyone involved” says Robin Landis, Director of Communications for North Star Alliance.
What is perhaps most exciting about these workshops, however, is the resulting body of artwork.
During the workshops participants translate their insights into the production of original collage artwork. Each collage is produced as original machine-made limited edition prints that are signed and numbered.
These prints will create a unique portfolio which will be collaboratively exhibited by North Star Alliance and Art for AIDS International to raise awareness about the impact of HIV on mobile populations, and proceeds to support both organisations’ work in Southern Africa. The portfolio will be officially released early this fall, so you'll have to wait until then to see it!
The workshops also provided North Star with an opportunity to collect mixed-method research on these key populations. “By interacting with truck drivers and sex workers outside of the clinic setting we were able to deepen our understanding of their health needs and tackle sensitive issues like HIV stigma" says Robin Landis.
North Star will use the participants’ feedback and in-depth interviews to improve our targeted services and programmes.
A Call to Action: 30 Years into the AIDS response
30 years ago, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report outlining five cases of what was believed to be a rare form of pneumonia. In retrospect, this report would be the first official one to outline what is now recognized widely as the HIV epidemic. Unfortunately, what this CDC report could give little indication of was that these five cases foretold the most severe epidemic in modern history. What was equally unpredictable, however, was that the story of AIDS would be one not only of tragedy, but one of resilience, solidarity, and innovation.Read more
What about HIV? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Thirty years into the response to HIV, an estimated 3000 young people are newly infected with HIV everyday. Many young people living with HIV still do not have access to treatment and only 34% of all young people have correct and comprehensive knowledge about HIV and how to protect themselves. That's why more than 150 young HIV activists from across the world gathered for a three-day summit in Bamako, Mali, last week to rally a youth-led response to HIV in lead up to the United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS (taking place in New York from 8 to 10 June 2011). Read more
An Ode to the Art for AIDS volunteer team
As an organization that relies on volunteer support, Art for AIDS International is happy to acknowledge the amazing work our volunteer staff has been doing. The passion they have been showing as of late has been nothing short of inspiring. Since we are so fond of our volunteers, we decided that we wanted to show them off. Please meet a few members of our team: Brittany, Nicole, Madeline, Josinah, and Jessica. Read more
The Biggest of Thank-You's
The following article was written by Alex Kruger, Art for AIDS International Student Intern!
I want to take a moment to thank everyone who came out to our event on March 27th: the "Art for AIDS International Exhibit: Showcasing UWO Talent". The night was an overwhelming success and saw an amazing turnout. The cupcakes and cookies provided by Colie Cakes were both beautiful and delicious, the music performed by Graham Nicholas, Alanna Gurr, and Sam Allen was spectacular, and the art was inspiring. Thank to you all the contributors who made the night happen, especially Art for AIDS International’s amazing volunteers—without them the night would not have run as smoothly as it did. So, to everyone, a big thank you! Read more
Working at Art for AIDS INTERNational
The following post was written by Kate Hoad-Reddick, student intern at Art for AIDS International.
Alex and I have been working as Interns at Art for AIDS International for just over three months now. While our placements are almost over, our relationship with Art for AIDS International will be long-lasting. Since our first day, Art for AIDS International has been a warm and stimulating place to work. The passion of Founder and Executive Director, Hendrikus Bervoets and the dedicated volunteers has been contagious. We have also been tactfully mentored from abroad by JP Bervoets. JP has been amazing to work with and has introduced us to the world of Art for AIDS International.
So, what have we been up to recently?Read more